Metric

Correspondence in News Physics

System Fit (SF)

Equilibrium analysis of Np and Ir — how well does the story fit the system?

Actor Power (AP)

The actor dimension of Ss — who is the story's subject?

Tension (T)

Normalised value of the Np − Ir difference — how far does pressure exceed resistance?

Diffusion (D)

Entropy velocity and the Ie component — how widely and quickly does the story spread?

Score

Label

Definition

Example

1

System Misfit

No overlap with the current system. Even if published, it disappears.

A technical environmental report published during an election campaign.

2

Weak Fit

Partial overlap but a fundamental incompatibility.

An important economic story on an entertainment-dominated platform.

3

Moderate Fit

The story enters the system but leaves no lasting mark.

A political scandal in a standard channel during a normal news cycle.

4

High Fit

The story slots into a gap the system was waiting for.

A public tender scandal during parliamentary budget hearings.

5

Perfect Fit

Agenda, channel, timing, and actors align perfectly.

A documented election fraud claim published on election night.

Actor Type

Typical AP Range

Individual citizen, local figure

1 — 2

Local official, company manager, mid-level bureaucrat

2 — 3

National-level politician, major company CEO, media owner

3 — 4

Cabinet minister, party leader, major conglomerate owner

4 — 5

International institution, multinational structure, global reach

5

Score

Label

Definition

Example

1

Micro Actor

Individual or local level. Narrow sphere of influence, no leverage effect.

Irregularities by a neighbourhood official.

2

Local Actor

Regional or sectoral level. Impact limited to a specific geography.

A municipal mayor's tender scandal.

3

National Actor

Nationally recognised; decisions affect a broad audience.

A deputy minister's company. A major holding's CEO.

4

Strong State / Market Actor

At the centre of decision-making mechanisms. A single move affects entire systems.

A minister's family-linked tender. A major bank's board of directors.

5

Systemic Actor

International institution or structure with global reach. Decisions affect multiple national systems simultaneously.

Documented financial irregularities in a global health organisation's fund management — directly affecting national health policies and international aid flows across dozens of countries.

Score

Label

Definition

Example

1

No Tension

Almost no conflict between Np and Ir.

Official press release. Content readily accepted in state-controlled media.

2

Low Tension

Partial conflict but balance has clearly shifted.

A competitive but politically risk-free economic story.

3

Moderate Tension

Np and Ir genuinely facing each other. Editorial decision is critical.

A politically sensitive but documented claim.

4

High Tension

Np is strong, Ir resisting. Story runs but at a cost.

Story concerning the outlet's major advertiser. Published under legal threat.

5

Maximum Tension

Np at ceiling, Ir approaching infinity. Censorship or press freedom breaking point.

WikiLeaks-type leak. A story that led to a journalist's arrest or exile.

Channel

Diffusion Effect

Single national outlet / website

Limited — D:1-2

Multiple national media

Moderate — D:2-3

Social media amplification

High — D:3-4

International media pick-up

Very high — D:4-5

Viral + international + official response

Maximum — D:5

Score

Label

Definition

Example

1

Local Diffusion

Story stayed on the platform where published. Entropy was fast.

A regional irregularity remaining in a local newspaper.

2

Moderate Diffusion

A few channels picked it up. A short momentum exists.

A political statement in small items in national newspapers.

3

Wide Diffusion

Multiple national channels. Agenda stayed open for days.

A minister scandal remaining in agenda for several days.

4

Viral Diffusion

Went viral and / or picked up by international media.

WikiLeaks, Pandora Papers-type — international pick-up, days of dominance.

5

Systemic Diffusion

Story transformed the system. Investigation, resignation, legislation triggered.

Watergate. Panama Papers. An investigation that led to a government's fall.

Profile Type

Interpretation

SF:5 AP:5 T:1 D:5

Powerful actor within the system, published with low resistance, large impact. Ideal condition.

SF:4 AP:4 T:5 D:2

Strong story, published under high pressure but low diffusion. Channel problem.

SF:3 AP:3 T:2 D:3

Balanced, 'normal' news case. System is functioning.

SF:1 AP:5 T:5 D:1

Powerful actor, maximum tension but system completely suppressed. Censorship case.

SF:2 AP:1 T:1 D:4

Weak actor, low tension but went viral. Suspected fake Np injection.

Metric

Score + Rationale

System Fit (SF)

4 — Parliamentary budget hearings are this week. Agenda alignment is perfect.

Actor Power (AP)

4 — Minister-level actor. Public tender + family connection.

Tension (T)

4 — Np is strong (648), Ir is high. Editorial pressure is certain.

Diffusion (D)

3 — If published, it will appear in national media. Potential D:5 but realisation risk present.